Nestled deep in the heart of the Southern Alps in Mount Aspiring National Park, is the mystifying Crucible Lake. Depending on the time of the season, Crucible Lake may be completely frozen, or filled with large floating ice or even icebergs that fall into the lake from the glaciers above.
Due to the fragile alpine herb fields, camping is not allowed in the surrounding Crucible Basin. The closest hut to Crucible Lake is the Siberia Hut, 7 km away in the spectacular Siberia Valley. It is a 14km return (6-8 hours) journey from the hut to the lake.
Before you book your stay at Siberia Hut, please be aware that one does not simply walk to the hut in a day and start your hike to Crucible Lake the next day. The Siberia Hut is located right in the middle of the Gillespie Pass Circuit. It takes around 3 to 4 days to complete the challenging Gillespie Pass Circuit. The circuit would take 4 to 5 days if you include the side trip to Crucible Lake.
For hikers with limited time, stamina, or experience, there is a fantastic and very fun option to get to Siberia Hut quickly. Introducing the Siberia Experience!
The Siberia Experience (New Zealand Wilderness Adventure) - Fly, Walk & Jet Boat Combo
The Siberia Experience (available Oct – May, not operating in winter) is an original wilderness experience provided exclusively by Southern Alps Air since 1975. The main idea of The Siberia Experience is to take a scenic flight into the remote Siberia Hut by plane, walk the hiking trail to the river pick up point, and take a thrilling ride back to civilization by jet boat.
For this normal itinerary, the whole journey will take around 4 hours. However, if you want to visit Crucible Lake, then you need to go for the overnight version and stay at Siberia Hut for at least one night. This overnight itinerary does not cost extra for the tour as you simply move the jet boat activity to the day after. The only extra cost is to book for your stay in Siberia Hut (and your own overnight supplies, of course).
Siberia Hut Booking
As Siberia Hut is a hut managed by the Department of Conservation (DoC), you need to book separately from The Siberia Experience tour.
It is a lovely serviced 20-bunk hut in the center of Mount Aspiring National Park. There were two DoC rangers doing conservation works during my visit, but I had the whole hut to myself. Trampers doing the Gillespie Pass Circuit would usually stay for a night or two at Siberia Hut.
Enough introduction, let’s get to the actual experience!
The Siberia Experience - Day 1
Makarora to Siberia Hut (Fly-In)
Meet Buttercup, the cute little yellow plane that will take you into majestic lands! The plane takes off at Makarora airstrip. But first, you need to check in at Wonderland Makarora Lodge just opposite the runway.
It is a scenic 25-minute flight over Mount Aspiring National Park into the remote Siberia Valley. During the flight, the pilot will point out and provide commentary about the mountain peaks and natural surroundings. There is an add-on option for Extended Glacier Flight (50 minutes total) but I did not take that package.
Get close up views of towering mountain peaks on both sides!
Every passenger is guaranteed to get a window seat to fully appreciate the unobstructed views of the UNESCO World Heritage scenery of Mount Aspiring National Park, and I got the co-pilot seat!
One last turn and we’re entering the Siberia Valley towards Siberia Hut. You’ll get the bird’s eye view of the path you’ll be walking out of the valley to the jet boat pick up point.
12.35pm: The plane landed on the grassy strip in the middle of the mountains surrounding the remote Siberia Valley. To get to the Siberia Track or to the hut, you’ll need to cross the wide Siberia Stream to the opposite bank. After ensuring I safely crossed the stream, the pilot waved goodbye and took off with Buttercup, leaving me to enjoy the peaceful, lonely beauty.
(+10)12.45pm: Walking at the Siberia Track towards the opposite direction of the stream flow (reversed way of the direction to the jet boat pick-up point), I arrived at Siberia Hut.
There’s this cool waterfall and creek close to the hut. Just follow the sound and goat track to reach the waterfall.
Side Trip: Siberia Hut to Crucible Lake (14km return)
12.57pm: After leaving my overnight pack at the hut, I started my hike to Crucible Lake.
(+2)12.59pm: First stream over the track near the hut. You could step over the big rocks to keep your feet dry, for now.
(+2)1.01pm: The first half stretch involves walking on the flat, scenic Siberia Valley
(+3)1.04pm: There are snow poles to guide your way but do keep an eye out as the next pole may be a bit far away.
(+5)1.09pm: Walking deeper into the valley with towering mountains on both sides. The left turn into Crucible Valley will only come into sight when you’re there.
(+8)1.17pm: The tempting, delicious-looking Siberia Stream is always there to your left as you walk towards Crucible Lake (only to cross it at the turn to Crucible Basin). Just look at the pristine blue water!
There will be a few small stream crossings along the way. Some are in the form of flooded grassy creeks. You may be tempted to search along the stretch for a dry path or narrow part to cross, but it’s not worth the effort / not gonna work. Some parts may look like solid grassland but as you step on them, your feet would sink right into the water. Your feet are gonna get wet anyway, so don’t be bothered with keeping them dry.
(+28)1.45pm: About 50 minutes of walking through the Siberia Valley, I arrived at the junction to Lake Crucible.
(+2)1.47pm: While the Gillespie Pass Track turns right and follows the Gillespie Stream, the track to Crucible Lake turns left and proceeds deeper into the Siberia Valley.
River Crossing to Crucible Lake (Gillespie Stream & Siberia Stream)
(+2)1.49pm: Soon you’ll reach the Gillespie Stream that flows into the Siberia Stream. You’ll need to cross the Gillespie Stream at this point. Look ahead to the opposite bank to find the trail. The icy water was shallow (below the knee) but moving very fast so make sure you cross it carefully and properly planting your foot on each step.
(+12)2.01pm: Next stream to cross is finally the Siberia River. It’s a very wide stream but calmer compared to the previous Gillespie Stream.
You might need to walk along the bank to find a lower spot to walk into the water without jumping down from the high bank.
At the middle of the beautiful Siberia Stream.
(+6)2.07pm: After crossing the Siberia Stream, you would see another stream ahead. This time, don’t cross the stream, but turn right and walk along it. (Make sure to scan and look for the pole markers)
Duck footprints on the sandy river bank.
(+2)2.09pm: Follow the snow pole markers and trail.
Crucible Valley to Crucible Lake
(+3)2.12pm: Entering the Crucible Valley. Expect at least 4 hours return from this point.
The main stream flowing down from Crucible Lake.
(+2)2.14pm: Up ahead is the waterfall from the same stream from Crucible Lake and the basin.
(+1)2.15pm: Follow the orange triangle markers into the forest track.
This is a steep climb up onto the Crucible Basin.
(+7)2.22pm: The waterfall flowing down beside the track.
(+2)2.24pm
(+7)2.31pm: Looking back at Siberia Valley.
(+13)2.44pm: Looking back at the steep trail.
(+2)2.46pm
(+5)3.01pm: Just before exiting the forest, there’s one last stream to cross.
(+5)3.06pm: Out of the thick forest.
(+1)3.07pm: Follow the light trail towards Mount Alba (Crucible Lake sits under it).
(+8)3.15pm: After a short section of narrow trail, you’ll enter the wide snow grass flat of the Crucible Basin!
(+10)3.25pm: Look out for signs of trails and pole markers as you make your way through the basin.
(+19)3.44pm: Steeper climb starts as you walk past the half length of Crucible Valley.
Some rock scrambling may be needed.
Crucible Lake
(+10)3.54pm: Arrived at the alpine lake of Crucible Lake!
It was early spring (late October) and the lake was still pretty much frozen. I could see the melting cracks were forming.
Lake Crucible, surrounded by the towering walls of Mount Alba like a bowl or a crater.
Wide shot of Crucible Lake.
More shots closer to the lake.
4.02pm: For the return journey, head back the same way, down the Crucible Valley first. Look at the view! It always amazes me when looking at the amount of land covered, one step at a time.
(+69)5.11pm: Down the steep forest track.
(+29)5.40pm: Back to the Crucible Lake signage and into Siberia Valley.
(+60)6.40pm: Returned to Siberia Hut for dinner while enjoying the setting sun light.
The Siberia Experience - Day 2
Siberia Hut to Jet Boat Pick Up Point (7km)
10.12am: On the next morning, I had my breakfast and chilled at the waterfall before starting my walk on the Siberia Track.
(+14)10.26am: On this walk, the Siberia Stream will always be on your right, as you walk with the waterflow. (This shot is taken facing backwards)
The ever-tempting pristine blue Siberia Stream (very cold).
A pair of non-native Canada geese.
(+10)10.36am
(+7)10.43am: Entered the forested track with mild elevation to the highest point of Siberia Track.
(+22)11.05am: View of Mount Kuri (I think).
(+41)11.46am: The second half of Siberia Track is a gentle downhill track to Wilkin Valley.
(+18)12.04pm: The junction to Kerin Forks Hut / Jet Boat Pick Up.
(+23)12.27pm: Flat grassy track along the river valley to the jet boat.
(+2)12.29pm: Arrived early at the jet boat pick up point. The scheduled time was 1.30pm so the jet boat had not arrived yet.
Views from the Wilkin River. Far ahead you can see the tiny Kerin Forks Hut right in the center of the shot.
With an hour to spare I played around with some ‘timer shots’.
There’s a nice shaded picnic spot under a tree nearby, but eventually I had to get up to walk back and forth to avoid getting swamped by the feisty sandflies.
Took the opportunity to filter and refill my water with my HydroBlu 轻型滤水器.
1.25pm: The jet boat has arrived! Me and the jet boat captain waited for a while as there’s another group arriving for the pickup. That group flew in by helicopter on the same morning (which I saw landed near Siberia Hut when I left) to do The Siberia Experience.
Wilkins River to Makarora (Jet Boat-out)
Contrary to the slow and chill walk on the track, the jet boat ride is a thrilling high speed run across the braided Wilkins River and Makarora River. Just like jet skis, the jet boat uses a jet propeller engine (no external rotor) to accelerate. Made with light and strong fiberglass, the jet boat is designed to maneuver the shallow and curvy Wilkins River with speed. You’ll get to experience ‘drifting’ and ‘180° rapid stop’ on the ride.
The rivers and streams here are subjected to flooding. The captain pointed out that during the big flood a few years back, the water level went up as high as that overhead tree branch above!
2.12pm: About 25-30 minutes of jet boat ride later, we landed on the bank of Makarora River.
The Wonderland Makarora Lodge where I parked my car is just a 10-minute walk away.
Continuing my South Island West Coast adventure, I drove to Haast and stayed at the beautiful Wilderness Backpackers for a night before continuing my journey northwards.
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